Process of pneumatic feeding.



W. H. HONISS.

PROCESS 01- PNEUMATIC FEEDING.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 26,1910.

1,1 18,552. Patented Nov. 24, 1914.

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W. H. HONISS.

rnocnss 0F PNEUMATIC FEEDING.

APPLICATION TILED JULY 26, 1910- Patented Nov. 24, 1914.

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THE NORRIS PETERS (I0. PHL7TD L1THO, WASIINOYON. U C

W. H. HONISS.

PROCESS OF PNEUMATIC FEEDING.

APPLIGATION FILED JULY 26, 1910.

1,1 18,552. Patented Nov. 24, 1914.

3 BHEBTS--SHEIZT 3.

Witnesses:

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[HE NORRIS PETERS CO, FHOTOLITHOV. WASHINGTON. D C

UNITE STATESPATENT OFFICE v l WILLIAM H. HoNIss,,Or nnnrroan, corruncrrcnnnssieuon OF ONE-FOURTH T0 HIMSELF, ONE-FOURTH 'ro WILLIAM A. LORENZ, or ARTFORD, CONNECTICUT, AND ONE-HALF TO BEECH-NUT. PACKING COMPANKQF CANAJOHARIE, NEW

YORK, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

PROCESS OF PNEUMATIC FEEDING.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patented NOV. 24,1914. Y

Originalapplicatiozi filed May s, 1e07,.Seria1 No. 373,450. Divided and this application filed July 26, i i

H 19.10... Seria1.No. 573,858,

To all whom it mag concern Be it known that I, VVILLIAMH. HoNIss,

a citizen of the United States, andresident 1 of Hartford, in thecounty of Hartford and State of Connecticut, haveinvented. certain new and. useful Improvements in Processes of Pneumatic Feeding, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact specification.

This invention relates to processes of feeding by pneumatic action, the particular embodiment herein shown and described being adapted for the feeding. of tubes made of flexible material, such as rubber, in connection with apparatus des1gned for cut- ,ting the tubes into ringgaskets for use ,in

making theclosurejoints of hermetically sealed jars and similar receptacles. AL though designed and intended for this particular purpose of feeding the tubes longitudinally by a stcp-by-step movement, be-

tween the operations of cutting the rings from the end of the tube, the process itself may be obviously adapted for feeding the tubes in any desired direction, or of feeding in any direction any article which is susceptible of the pneumatic action which is an important characteristic of this improved process.

This application is a division of mypending application Serial NO. 373,450, filedM-ay 13, 190i, and for the purpose of illustrating a useful application of the process, I have shown herein a portion of the apparatus which is the subject of my said prior pending application. y

Figure 1 of the drawlngs 1s a plan view, in section taken substantially through the longitudinal center of the apparatus, showing the parts in the position i111 which the pneumatic action takes effect on one side or portion of the tube or article to be fed, with the feeder in itsadvanced position. Fig.2 1 is a similar view, showing the parts in a position in which the pneumatic action takes effect upon another side or portion of the tube, and also showing the feeder in its retracted position, as compared with the position. of Fig.1. Figs. 3 and 4 are plan views illustrating a modified form of valve, enabling the process to employ both high pressure and exexception that they show the valve in; two:

different y,positions. Fig. 5 isa side view,

tions offlthe surface of. the tube 01', otherarticlc, ,and advancing the article while so held by one portion and released elsewhere, the alternations of the pneumatic action maintaining control of the tube at all pOsitions. As applied to tubes, particularly of rubber and similar material, this process consistslnzholdlng thetube by atmospheric pressure,interm ttently applied to the inner or outersurface the tube and advancing it bodily between or during the intermisslons. In carrying out, this process with tubing of this character, the tube is guided within a receivcr Or holding member which approximately fits. the exterior wallflof .the tube. Afeeding member, which preferably consists of a cylindrical plunger, is placed within the tube, approximately fittingithe interior wall thereof, so that the tube occupies and is uided through the annular space .between t 1e exterior of the plunger feeder and interior of the receiver. illustrated. both the receiver and the feeder are utilized as pneumatic holders, their leading ends fit the leading endof the tube. as closely as may be found practicable, in order to avoid excessive leakage of the air, and consequent loss of pressure. In in stances like those hereinafter stated, where atmospheric pressure is employed only be- Where, as herein tween one of these holders and the tube, it

is not important to haveboth of them fit so closely; n, fact t may in some cases be desirable to haveat lit one holder somewhat loosely, so.as to allow atmospheric to the tube are provided with air passages. which are extended so asto communlcate withany well-known or available means for producing pneumatic pressure either byinducing a vacuum and thusutilizing at mospheric pressure, or by producing ,a pressure above thatof the atmospheric, or using both these forms of pressure producing devices in conjunction, particularly when it may be found desirable to utilize a pressure greater than that of the atmosphere. The pressure is applied intermittently and alternately to the interior and exterior surfaces of tlie tube, and the latter is advanced while thus held either by the inner or outer side of tlie tube,'and while released on the other side. In practice it is believed to be preferable to feed the tube while held by its inner wall, the feed member or plunger be- "ing moved longitudinally to the desired extent while holding the tube, and while the outer surface of the tube is released from the receiver.

For convenience in adapting the appa- "ratus for the manipulation of tubes of dilferent sizes, the receiver 16 is preferably made easily detachable, being, as herein shown, removably attached to the spindle 18, which is mounted in any suitable way, as in the boxesor5bea1ings19 mounted in a suitable head, which is or may be similar to thehead.

of a latheand may, for convenience in 00- operating with tube cutting or other ad- ;junctive mechanism,be mounted upon a bed. Any suitable means, as screw or screws 23 may be employed for iremovably holding the receiver 16in position in the spindle. By removing the screw the receiver may be withdrawn and other receivers and feeders substituted of sizes and forms suited for the different tubes to be operated upon.

In some instances in which this process of feeding and holding the workmay be em ployed, it may be undesirable or unneces scary to rotatethe work, in which case the re ceiver 16 and the feeder 17 need not be supported 'for rotative movement. But for many purposes, including the purpose of cutting tubes into gaskets, illustrated herein, it is desirable to rotate the tube. For this reason the spindle 19 is mounted for rotation, as herein shown, and is provided with a pulley, or any other convenient means for imparting the rotative movement. In such cases also it is usually desirable to rotate the feeder 17 coincidental]v'withthe receiver. In the embodiment here shown the receiver and the feeder are mechanically clutched or coupled together by-a coupling 25, which is fitted upon a hub 26 of the feeder, and con 'nected therewith by means of a spline 27, which serves to rotate the plunger with the coupling, while permitting the longitudinal sliding movement of the plunger within the receiver and coupler. The coupling is preferably provided with an annular shoulder '29, which jfits within the rearwardwend of the spindle 18 and centralizcs the coupling and the plunger with that spindle.

The surfaces of the receiver 16 and plum .ger 17, which are in contact with the outer in this instance is shown to be the feeding ,or advancing member, 18 provided with grooves 1% which are herein shown to extend circumferentially around the plunger and serve as passages for the air in forcing or inducing pneumatic pressure. These passages are connected in any convenient way through the rearward end of the plunger, either with exhausting apparatus or a1r compressing apparatus, which maybe like that conventionally shown in Fig. 5. In the present instance,'tlie plunger is mounted for rotation upon anon rotating spindle 45,

which is provided with an air passage 46 extending longitudinally within the spindle to the rearward end thereof. At its front end the air passage 46 communicates outwardly'by mean'sof the air holes 47 and circumferentialgrooves 48 with the continuing passages 49 leading 'to' *the circumferential grooves 4 onthe outer surface of the plunger, thus afi'ordingcontinuous air communication "betwee nthe latter grooves and the air duct or conduit 46, whether the plunger is rotating or stationary. These grooves are herein shown to be only two in number and situated only at the front end of the plunger, since it is desirable in "this particular case to grip the tubes at that end, so that the tubes may be fed forward nearly their entire length before theirirearward ends reach and uncover these grooves. Obviously, however, the grooves may be extended farther over or completely over the surface of "the plunger. The receiver .is also shown to be provided with circumferential air grooves 51, which for the reason just given are also limited to the front end of the receiver. These grooves communicate ith the longitudi'nalgroove or grooves 52 which may eX- tend to the rearward end of the receiver, or may, as herein shown, communicate with an annular recess 53 in the interior of the spindle, or the exterior of the receiver. At its rearward end the recess communicates with the air duct 54, which extends to the end of the spindle and communicates with a duct 55 of the coupling 25, air-tight connection 'being'insured if necessary by means of a rubber washer orgasket 56. At its in ner end the duct 55-extends into communication with the duct 57, which communicates with the circumferential groove 58, which -may be in the interior wall of the hub 26,

"the crossduct "59 and longitudinal duct 60,

to the end o-ft-he spindle; and thence to the exhaust or pressure producing means.

7 The spindle is supported at its rearward end by a spindle head 62; and, the ducts l6 and 60 which communicate inde pendently of each other with the air grooves stand 51 ofthe plunger and receiver, respectively, are extended through the spindle support 62;. andtheir connection with the air exhausting or compressing apparatus, as thecase may be, is controlled by means of a valve 65, the construction and operationof which will be hereinafter more particularly described. I i i i The description thus far given relates to a single receiver or holder 16 and a single plunger or feeder. 17, and this receiver may be ei'liciently served by such a single plunger, which atfterfeeding one tube as far as it will go can be withdrawn from'the receiver and a succeeding tube be inserted. But totexpedite the operation ofthe device by lessening the time during which its feedingoperations are interrupted, I preferably provide a plurality of these plungers, so that while one plunger is performing its feeding operations another plunger may have anew tube mounted upon it in readiness forthe next feeding operation. Any desired number of these plungers may be employed. I have, however, shownherein but two plungers, extending in opposite directions from the support 62, which thus becomes a sort of monitor or turrethead. which is mounted for rotation upon av stud 66, which is clamped or otherwise secured in the sliding head or carriage 67. The

spindles 45 are secured to their supporting monitor 62 in any convenient way. The plunger-s 17 are mounted on these spindles,

being held against endwise movement by.

suitable collars or shoulders 70 and 1 71.

Vashers 72 of rubber or leather,

desired, be inserted between the ends of the plunger and its end bearing collars or shouli spindle lfi and the monitor 62, to prevent leakage of air to or from the ducts 46 and 60.

The carriage or slide, or whatever may be employed for supporting the head 67 and the mandrel 62 should be mounted for longitudinal movement in a direction parallel with the long1tud1nalcenter line of the receiver, the desired motions being imparted by suitable cams or other driving devices.

the details of which have no immediate relationto the process described herein.

--The flow of air to and from the receiver 916 and plunger 17 through the .ducts60 and preferably of a cylindrical .form and is mounted for slidingmovement in the stud shown in Fig.6, may be employed forlgpro 66, as shownby a comparison of the position of the valve in Figs. 1 and 2. Inthe arrangement shown inFigs 1 and 2 it :is assumed that the pressures are produced either by exhaustion .alone, or compression alone,not by. a combination of both. i

Theend of the valve: 65 is connected with any suitable exhaust or .pressure producing apparatus, like that shown inl ig. 5, :by means of a tube 98 which is either jointed or flexibleto permit of the longitudinal and transverse movements ofthe valves The duct 00 extends from the tube 98 through the outwardly openingpassage or passages 100 to the distributing passage 101, which when inthe position shown in Fig. 1 coins municates with the duct 60 leading to the receiver 16; and wheninthe other position shown in F ig.2communicates with the duct t6leading tothewplungerl'i. Relief or exhaust passages 102 and 103 are preferably provided in the valve 65 connecting either Off/lie passages 60 or 16 with the open air when the other of thosepassagesis in com munication with a the. distributing pass sage 101. i y The valve 65 is pushed back :and forth between the positions shown in Figs. 1 and 2 at suitable intervals, in time with the desired holding and releasing,operations of the pneumatic action, and in suitable relation to the desired feedingpmovement of the work. Suitable mechanism torwthis purpose is shown in my companion application above reterrcd to; but forms no part of the present invention, hence is not described herein. a

Any suitable knife or other instrument, worked by appropriatemechanism, may be employed for cutting ofl or otherwiseop; erating upon the projecting end of the tube when in the position shown in Fig. 1., Any suitable air pressure inducing mech-. anism, for example, of the general type ducing the desired pneumatic pressures; and pressures above the atmospheremay be employed, either in conjunction with atceiver, the tube is placed in position upon Similarly, presthe feeder 17 and the latter is. carried forward by pushing the sliding head 67 forward. The coupling 25 is then adjusted to itsseat against the end of the receiver 16 and its spindle 18; and is fastened to that position by means of the clamp nut 33. The forward feeding movement then begins. Assuming that the tube 98 is connected with exhausting apparatus, the valve 65 when in the position shown in Fig. 1 directs the ex haust to take effect through the duct 60 and the grooves or recesses 51 of the receiver, while permitting atmospheric pressure to enter through the relief passage 102 and duct 46, thus holding the tube outwardly against the inner wall of the receiver 16 and releasing the feeder 17. The latter is then drawn backwardly to the required extent by the operation of a suitable cam. When the feeder reaches its rearward resting position, the valve 65 is moved to the position shown in Fig. 4, thus connecting its distributing passage 101 with the duct- 16 and grooves 141 of the feeder and at the same time admitting atmospheric pressure through the ducts 103 and 60 to the grooves 51 of the receiver, thus releasing the tube from the receiver and pressing it inwardly against the feeder. The width of the distributing passage 101 of the valve relative to the ducts 46and 60 is such that when the valve is moved from one position to the other, the exhaust takes full effect upon one of those ducts before being shut off from the other duct; or at least before atmospheric pressure is admitted to the other duct, so as to retain the tube at all times under control of the pressure, gaining a hold on'one side before releasing the other side. lVith the tube thus held against the feeder 17 the latter is moved forwardly by its cam, thus projecting the leading end of the tube beyond the front end'of the feeder and receiver, where the parts remain while the gasket ring-is being severed or otherwise operated on, as shown in Fig. 1. Then the valve 65 is moved again to the position shown in Fig. 1, pressing the tube away from the feeder and against the receiver to permit the plunger to be again retracted without also retracting or otherwisemoving the tube. Thus the forward feeding movements are continued intermittently and alternately, and also in alternation with the operations of the cutter for cutting off the endof the tube. '"When finally the rearward end of the'tube passes 'to or beyond the grooves 51 and e14, and the feeding stops, the screw nut 33 is turned, and the coupling 25 is withdrawn. Then the sliding head 67 is drawn backwardly to withdraw the feeder 17 from the receiver. In the case of a machine having but a'single feeder 17 a new tube is then placed in position, the parts are again pushed forward and coupled to the receiver, and the feeding movement is again resumed. In the case of a machine having a plurality of plungers 17 upon a swinging turret or monitor head 62, the feeder which is out of feeding operation is supplied with a new tubewhile the other feeder is feeding its tube forward, the monitor head being turned upon its supporting stud 60 when the sliding head 67 is retractied so as to bring the feeder carrying the new tube into alinement with the receiver.

111 the case of a machine operated by compressed air the operation is quite similar; the principal diiferencebeing in the position of the valve 65,, which is the reverseof that required for operating by exhaust and atmospheric pressure. In other words, when employing compressed air the valve 65, when in the position shown in Fig. 1, admits the pressure through the receiver to the outer side of the tube, holdingthe latter against the feeder 17 and continues thus to hold it during the forward feeding movement of the feeder, after which the valve is shifted to the position shown in Fig. 2 which admits pressurethrough the ducts46 and 414 to the inner side of the tube, holding it outwardly against the receiver and thus releasing the, feeder which is then drawn back. In this case the relief ducts 102 and 103 operate to release the pressure from each of the ducts 16 and 60 when the other of those ducts receives the pressure.

During the time that the projecting tube is being operated upon by the cutter or other means, it may be held either to the feeder 17, or tov the receiver--16, as may be found most convenient or desirable, according to the character of the operation and direction in which it is applied.

The modification shown in Figs. 3 and 4 adapts the machine to employ exhaust and atmospheric pressure in connection with what may be here termed super-atmospheric pressure, or air compressed above atmospheric pressure. The modification is 110 confined to the valve itself which has a double ended connection, one end being connected with exhausting apparatus, and the other end with compressing apparatus, either or both of which" may be of the type 115 represented in a general way by Fig. 5, the characteristic differences between exhaust and pressure blowers being well understood. As this modification is shown, the valve 130 is provided with flexible or jointed 120 tubes 131 and 132, one leading to pressure and the other to exhaust apparatus. For definiteness in description it is herein as sumed that the tube 131 connects with an exhaust apparatus, while the tube 132 con- 1% and passages of the valve .65. shown in the to the plunger is incommunicationiwith the hi h ressure or com )ressin a iaratus thus serving to hold the tube outwardly against the receiver, with a pressure which 18. determined 1 by the pressure delivered by the air compressing device, and may be varied" to suit different conditions. Upon Y: moving the valve to the position shown in Fig. l, the holding conditions are reversed,

the: duct l6 leading to the feeder-being then connected with the exhaust,while the duct 60 leading to the receiver is connected with the pressure, thus pressing the tube against the feeder, at which time the feeder is given its forward feeding movement to advance the tube. 1 1 I When using the simple exhaust plan the pressure is obviously limited to that of the atmosphere, whereas by usingforced pressure it may be increased to. any extent likely to be. found necessary. Although for many purposes the arrangement shown in Figs. land 2, employing what may be' termed a single or simple pressure, will be found sufficient for holding and feeding tubes with certainty and uniformity; for some other purposes it may be found desirable to employ the double acting method shown in Figs. 3 and 4. To effect the change from one to the other it is only necessary toremove the valve 65 fromthe apparatus and replace it with the valve 130,

1 the length of stroke and time of operation as hereinarranged being the same.

The valve shown in Figs. 3 and L is adapted like that shown in Figs. 1 and 2 to gain a hold on one side of the tube before releasing. its hold on the other side of the tube. This is due to the spacing and lapping, of the valve passages relative to' the ducts :46 and 60. i I

In some instances it may be found feasible or even preferable to employ air. pressure only on one side of the tube, utilizing the elastic properties of the tube to impart the required holding pressure inthe opposite direction, in alternation with the air pressure. For example, the tubes may be found, or may be made, to fit the feeder 17 tightly enough, and. the receiver loosely enough to carry the tube with the feeder, without any air pressure on the outer surface of the tube. 1 In such a case it will be sufficient to employ air pressure only within the tube through the ;duct 46 and itsassociated passages, to expandthe tube outwardly against the receiver 16, and thus freeit from the. feeder 17 while the latter is, drawn back to getai new feeding holdon the tube. The pres; sure is then released, allowing the tube to contract againupon the feeder 11' and away from the receiver, leaving it free to slide forward with thefeeder. Or the tube may similarly be found, or may be made, to fit the receiver 16;tightly, in which case the pneumaticprcssure would be appliedupon the outside of thetube, either-by direct pressure through the duct. (30 and its connections, or indirectly by exhausting through the duct 46. In1 either of theseways the tube may hold itself by virtue .of its own elasticity and frictional contact, either with the feeder or with the receiver, for holding it still, or for its advancing movement. .Any of these modified ways may be carried out by the present apparatus, merely by replacing the washer or gasket (Elwith another washer orgasket having only one aperture registering with the duct which it is desired to leave open, or by makinga constant connection for the atmosphere to the inner or outer holder, as may be required.

Under some conditions, or for some purposes, it may be found preferable to impart the advancing. movement of the tube by means of the receiver, using the inner holder 17 as the stationary holding member, and sliding the receiver forward and back in its bearings, instead of slidingthe feeder 17 as. herein shown and described. It may also in some cases be found sufficient to dispense with the air; grooves and passages in the receiver or whichever may be the stationary membeinz In that case the tube may fit the stationary member somewhat closely, so as to hold thereto by friction, while the feed. member is being retracted to get a newhold. But for most purposes I prefer to employ air pressure alternately on opposite sides of the tube. i

The term super-atmospheric is for convenience and brevity herein employed to designate. pressures above that commonly designated as atmospheric pressure, the latter. of which at. .no time reaches fifteen, pounds per square inch, and varies below. that. according to the degree of exhaustion or vacuum by which it is induced, whereas super-atmospheric pressure, obtained by compressing .theair in any of several wellknown ways, may be carried to any degre likely to. be desired. 1 i i I claim as my invention 3 y y 1. 3 The processof feeding an article which consists in independently engaging the article at different portions of its surface by pneumatic holding and. advancing Ineansopcrating in alternation to release and feed the article.

' 2. The process of feeding a tube, which consists in holding the tube by pneumatic pressure'independently at difierent portions of its surface, and advancing the tube by alternately applying and releasing the pneumatic pressure at the said different portions, and moving one of the said holding means while the tube is held to it by the pneumatic pressure, and is released from the other holding means.

3. The process of holding and feeding a tube, which consists in holding the interior and exterior sides of the tube alternately by pneumatic pressure, and feeding the tube forward intermittently in conjunction with the alternations of pneumatic pressure.

l. The-process of feeding a tube, which consists in intermittently holding and releasing the interior and exterior of the tube by pneumatic action and advancing the tube while being held on one side and released on the other side.

5. The processof feeding a tube, which consists in intermittently holding and re leasing the interior and exterior of the tube in alternation, and advancing the tube intermittently in conjunction wlth the successive holding and releasing operations.

6. T he process of feeding an article, which consists in holding the. article by. pneumatic pressure alternately to different holding members, and advancing one of the said holding members while the article is thus held thereto. V

7. The process of feeding an article, which consists in holding the article by pneumatic pressure alternately to a holding member, and to a feeding member, advancing the feeding member while the article is thus held to it, and retracting the feeding member during the alternations in the holding action when the article is held to the holding member.

8. The process of feeding a tube, which consists in supporting the tube by a guide reciprocating a feeder along the guide, and intermittently holding the tube to the feeder by pneumatic pressure during its movements in the desired direction of feed 9. The process of feeding a tube, which consists in alternately expanding and contracting the tube by pneumatic pressure and feeding it during one of the said alternations.

10. The process of feeding a tube, which consists in alternately expanding and contracting the tube against a feeder by pneumatic pressure, and advancing the feeder while the tube is thus held against it.

11. The process of feeding a tube, which consists in guiding the tube between pneusubstantially fitting the exterior surface thereof, holding the tube by pneumatic pressure alternately to the said holders and advancing one of said holders while the tube is thus held to'it.

13. The process of feeding a tube, which consists in guiding the tube over one cylindrical holder, and within another cylindrical holder, reciprocating one of said holders relative to the other, and applying pneumatic pressure to hold the tube intermittently and alternately to the said holders.

14-. The process of feeding an article, which consists in holding the article by exhausting the air from the side and applying pneumatic pressure above atmospheric pressure to the other side, and movingv the article while so held.

15. The process of. feeding an article, which consists in holding the article to a feeding member with atmospheric pressure induced by exhausting air from one side and applying super-atmospheric pressure to the other side, advancing the article while so held, releasing the pressure and'retracting the feeding member.

16. The process of feeding an article, which consists in holding the article-alternately to a holding member and a feeding member by atmospheric pressure induced by exhausting air from one side of the article i and applying super-atmospheric pressure to.

the other side, and advancing the article while so held by the feeding member.

17. The process of feeding a tube, which consists in holding the tube alternately to a holding member and a feeding member by atmospheric pressure, induced by exhausting the air from one side of thetube wall and applying super-atmospheric pressure to the other side of the tube wall, advancing. the feeding member while the tube is thus held to it, and retracting the feeding member during the alternations, when the tube is pressed against the holding member.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in-the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

WM. H. HONISS.

Witnesses:

CAROLINE M. BRECKLE', JOSEPH Mnnm'rr.

Gopies of this patent may be obtained for five cents eachyby addressing the Commissioner of Eatents.

I Washington, I). G. 

